“How Plastic is a function of Colonialism” & Cobalt mining and modern slavery
Begin by carefully reading Liboiron (2018). In this article, marine scientist
Max Liboiron argues that “plastic is a function of colonialism”.
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-plastic-is-a-function-of-colonialism
Q1: What do you think they mean by this? Identify at least three examples
of how plastic pollution and/or disability are related to colonialism.
-Resource exploitation: Colonial forces extracted resources for industrialization, resulting in
environmental deterioration and plastic manufacture, which harmed both disabled and
indigenous groups.
-Colonial legacies sustain unequal resource distribution and governance, aggravating
environmental and social disparities among disabled and indigenous peoples.
-Environmental injustice: Marginalized communities, especially persons with disabilities, are
disproportionately exposed to plastic pollution as a result of systemic hurdles and a lack of
access to resources and healthcare.
Q2: What is colonialism? How does Liboiron define it in the article? What
does colonialism mean in your own words?
Liboiron defines colonialism as a domination system that allows a colonizer to gain access to
territory to achieve his or her goals. This does not usually refer to property for settlement or
water extraction. It may also imply access to land-based cultural designs and culturally
appropriated symbols for fashion.
I would define Colonialism as a system of dominance and exploitation in which powerful nations
or groups seize control of weaker ones, generally for economic gain, resource extraction, or
geopolitical advantage.
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-63-the-current/clip/15969899-the-human-cost-cobalt-eleme
nt-powers-devices
Q3:
What do you think he means by this? Provide at least three examples of how people and
their environments are considered disposable in the context of cobalt mining. What are
some of the implications of the battery-electric supply chains that we increasingly rely
on?
Liboiron most likely indicates that in the context of cobalt mining, people and their habitats are
considered expendable or disposable, with profit and resource extraction preceding human
